Smith resigns as drain commissioner

Published 10:31 am, Monday, April 25, 2016

He is resigning as the county's deputy drain commissioner because of another job opportunity that has arisen at a local bank, Smith said.

By Kate Finneren-Hessling

HURON COUNTY - Deputy Drain Commissioner Dean Smith said he will be leaving his post as of Feb. 9.

He is resigning as the county's deputy drain commissioner because of another job opportunity that has arisen at a local bank, Smith said.

"It wasn't because of any problems at work," he said.

Smith said he's glad to be joining the Chemical Bank team.

"It was an opportunity I think I wanted to take," he said.

Since Smith began working as the deputy drain commissioner in November of 1999, he said it's been a great experience.

"We had a lot of large projects we've done in the past seven years, and it's been a great team to work with at the Road Commission," he said. "I think the set up of the system is not only unique, but also one that services the needs of the public probably better than any other place around."

Road Commission Chairman John Hunt said he accepted Smith's resignation with regret about a week and a half ago at the Road Commission's last meeting.

He said Smith has done a very good job during the seven years he's worked as deputy drain commissioner.

"He's been a good deputy drain commissioner - he's been good at carrying out orders and making sure that the law is followed," Hunt said. "He's done the things that are necessary."

Smith said he specifically wanted to work through Feb. 9.

"We have a board of determination for the Arnott Drain (between Dwight and Huron townships) and I wanted to complete that I left," he said.

Hunt said the Road Commission will employ someone to fill Smith's vacancy because that's who the deputy drain commissioner reports to.

"We will be hiring somebody … but at this point, we're just going to assess where we want to go from here. At some point we will be replacing Dean," he said. "This does not have to happen immediately - it will happen prior to the construction season … when spring gets here."

Hunt said the position of deputy drain commissioner has become quite tougher over the years simply because the rules are continuing to change. He said he respects Smith for all the work and continued education he's put into the position.

"You have to stay abreast of different DEQ (Michigan Department of Environmental Quality) regulations - you always want to stay in compliance, so it's a constant education battle," Hunt said. "There are a lot of regulations that you need to stay on top of and I would say Dean has done a great job of doing that and making sure that we're abreast."

Hunt said he wishes Smith well and is positive he will do great in his new ventures with Chemical Bank.

"Dean did a good job - he represented us well and we always tried to make sure that the costs were as low as they could be and the work was done as professionally as could be, and we'll miss him," Hunt said.